Side-chain lock



A. N. EDEBURN SIDE CHAIN LOCK Oct. 30, 1928.

Filed June 14, 1926 Patented Oct. 39, 1928.

v UNITED STATES; PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED n. EDEBURN, OFCLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR To THE CHAIN PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION'OF OHIO. V

SIDE-CHAIN Loox.

Application filed J'iine114, 192Q. SerialyNo. 115.977.

This invention relates to manually actuab'le chain lockslor securing links ofa type particularlyf applicable for employment in antiskid tire devices for the purpose ofremovably securing such devices in operative position side or longitudinal chains of length approxii niately the circumference of the rim of the tire, connected at intervals by short trans verse members of sufficient length to eXten'd laterally around the tirebetween the side chainscircuin'l'erentially positioned on either .sidethereof. One end of eaclrof the side chains carries a fastening device. or generally speaking aside chain lock, whereby after.

placing the anti-skid device in position upon the tire, by connecting the ends the side chains, the whole, though free to inovecircuniferen'tially upon the tire is secured against accidental reii'ioval therefrom until disengagement of vthe side chain locks.

Objects ofv this invention are to produce a side chain lock rugged in construction,

simpler-[in operation than devices for the purposes have heretofore been, perfectly so cure against unintended unlocking, and eX- ceedingly inexpensive tomanu'tactiu'e.

The exact manner of accomplishingthese objects and the advantages resulting more, fromwill be evident from the following de,

tailed description of the invention taken in connectionwith the accompanying draw ngs in whichFig. 1 shows a portion of a pneumaticautomobile tirewith a corresponding section of a typical anti skid chain secured thereon bya side chain lock embodying my invention; F 1g. 2 is a detailed view of the two end links of one of the side Cl'lfllIlS secured by my lock Fi g. 3 is a correspondingview of the pa rts shown in Fi 2, lbutat right angles thereto; Fig. l is a view similar to that of 3 but showing the lock in position to be opened; and Fij 5 shows the same parts, in attached position of the chain ends but before locking, p y

The side chain links 1 shown in the drawiugs are ofa type'in common use in such devices, and are formed symmetrically, each of a piece ofspring wire bent to form an eye as drawings. c

The chain lock comprises two principal well known inthe art and indicated in the members, the locking member 2, which is secured with the end link '1 by a pin member 3, in a manner to be dcscrlbec.

The locking member is generally hook shapedlike a question mark, cut and bent to the shape indicated .in the drawings and preferably comprises a piece of heavy sheet,

metal; and includes a connecting portion perforated to receive the pin 3 ,wherebyit may be secured with the link 1, a generally hook shaped dependingor rearwardly e):- tending portion l provided withanotclr 5 to receive and closely positionthe opposite end link l of the chain, and extending forwardly of the portion 4 an extension or finger 6 tlie end of which is bent to form a laterally engaging latch hook as shown in, the draw-H ings, adapted to engage a side of the linkl.

The outer curve of the finger 6 is extended to I fQl'lIYSOHlGWhZIi] of a corner 8, for thepurpose tobe described. 7 r I a That portion of the locking member surrounding the perforation referred tois {embossed or otherwise formed with correspondf ing generally convex surfaces 7 as indicated particularly in Figs. 8 and 4, and is positioned between the pairof eyes referred to in the link jlfithe link being spread as indicated to receive the locking member, the eyes seating upon the surfaces described due to the resilience of the link material. i

may consistfof a rivet as indi cated, swaged at fits headless end over a washer in the usual manner, wherebythe The pin 0 locking member 2 is permanently secured with the l'ocklng member 1 but free for pivotal movement therein about the pin; the

longitudinal dimension of the pin being such however, as to allow spreading of the link 1" to the position shown in F ig; i. The convex seats upon the securing portion of the locking member 2 form generally with the link eyes a ball and'socket arrangement, but the rather flattened than of actual spherical conformation, as indicated in Figs. 8 and 4, while allowing universal movement of the locking member with respect to the link, yet owing to the resilience of the link material tend to maintain the locking member in align ment in its normal or closed position, that of Fig. 3. Maintenance of this position is also loo ' surfaces upon the securing portion beings aided by the hook upon the projection (i of the locking member in engagement around the side of the link 1; and maintenance of this engagen'ient of the hook in turn is aided by the position of the notch 5. which is out of alignment with the pin 3 and the locked end of the linger (i so that tension in the side chain tending to separate the links 1. and 1 will the more tend to tighten the hook upon the link 1".

Operation oi the device is as follows:

Referring specifically merelyto one ol the side chains. manipulation of the other side chain and the cross chains being obvious and well known: alter the side chain stretcl ed. around the tire. the locking member being in the open position shown in Fig. 5. the link 1" is hooked over the extension (3 oi the lock. being retained in this position by the hook thereon pending adju.-:tment of other portions of the anti-skid device.

To look the chain the locking then rotated about the pin 3 to oi Fig. -l this motion forcing member 2 is the position the lmks '1 and 1 together to tighten the same, the inner suri'ace o l the locking member acting as a cam upon the link 1". As the locking, 111cmber approaches the position of F -jl. its tenden y owing to the resilience of th link 1" acting upon the surfaces referred to. is to assume the position of Figs. 2 and 3. It is therefore necessary to force the locking member laterally by hand to the position indicated in Fig. 4: as the finger of the locking member passes through the eye of the link 1. This is easily accomplished by the thumb of the operator engaging the portion of the locking membe adja ent: the corner As soon as closedsutliciently to allow the hookupon the extension 6 to clear the side of the link 1. the locking member is allowed to be returned laterally by the link resilience acting upon the convex surfa es oi the locking member, and moved back to the position indicated in Figs. and i. lVhen tnis has occurred. the hook being engaged with the link 1, tension on the chain tends to maintain the hook in this engagement andthereiore to maintain the chain locked. Movementof the hook upon the extension (3 in clearing the side of the link l beyond the. necessary clearing position as the locking member is being secured would ordinarily be prevented by engagement. of the extension with the tire itself (Fig. 1 However, such motion would be also limited by engagement of the extension with the adjacent end of the wire which forms the link 1.

T 0 open the locking means and unlock the same for removal, the above described operations are performed in the reverse order. The hook upon the locking memberis released from the link 1 moved inwardly against the tension of the link to clear it, (Fig. 4) and swung outwardly back to the position of Fig. whereupon the link 1" may be lifted from the securing member and the same is free.

What- I claim is t 1. A the side chain provided with far.- tening means at one end. said means including an end chain link of resilient material open at its ends and provided with two arms terminating in parallel and aligned eyes tending to move broadside into engagen'u-nt by the resiliency of said arms, a pin passing through said eyes and provided with beads on its opposite ends permittingseparation thereof. and a hook-shaped locking member having a long arm provided with a laterally extending locking member and a return short arm pivoted on said pin between said eyes. the long arm being of such length that who said member is turned back into locking position said locking member engages with and latches around one of the arms in said end link. in which position saideyes resiliently press broadside against opposite tin-es of the return arm, and said resilient linkarms requiring cocking of the locking member on said pin to separate said link eyes for releasing said locking men'iber.

2. A tire side chain provided with fastening means at one end, said means including an end chain link of resilient material open at its ends and provided with t-woarms to!" minating in parallel and aligned eyes tending to move broadside into engagement by the resiliency of said. arms, a pin passing through said eyes and provided with heads on its opposite ends permitting separation t hereof, and a hook-shaped locking member having a long arm provided with a laterally extending locking member and a return short arm pivoted on said pin between said eyes and having convex eye engaging surfaces, the long arm being of such length that when said member is turned back into lot-kite; position said locking member engages with and latches around one of the arms in said end link. in.

locking member. and said surfaces being adapted to facilitate said cocking.

In testimony whereot I hereby allix my signature.

ALF RED-N EDEBURN...

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